Champai Soren, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, is expected to tender his resignation by late evening, around 8 p.m. This move comes following deliberations within the INDIA alliance, where a consensus was reached to replace him with Hemant Soren, who has recently been released from prison after facing charges related to a land scam case and money laundering.
Hemant Soren's return to the Chief Minister's office marks his third tenure in this role, making him the 13th Chief Minister of Jharkhand since its formation in 2000. The decision was finalized during a meeting held at the Chief Minister's residence in Ranchi, attended by key leaders and representatives from the alliance, including Congress's Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir and state president Rajesh Thakur.
The change in leadership signals a significant political shift in the state, with discussions also underway regarding assigning Champai Soren new responsibilities within the party, potentially as the chairman of the UPA coordination committee and working president of the JMM.
Meanwhile, reactions from opposition figures, such as MP Nishikant Dubey of the BJP, have portrayed this transition as the end of an era under Champai Soren's leadership. Dubey critiqued the JMM leadership, alleging a focus on familial connections over broader political merit, and expressed sentiments favoring a departure from such practices in favor of leadership inspired by historical figures like Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Champai Soren, aged 67, has been a stalwart in the JMM, having served alongside party founder Shibu Soren for many years. His resignation marks a pivotal moment in Jharkhand's political landscape, ushering in expectations for new leadership under Hemant Soren amidst ongoing political developments and challenges in the state.
